We sit down with a 2019 Reformer Pilates Teacher Training graduate and journalist Stephanie Bedo on the course, and how Pilates has changed her life.
Stephanie Bedo on our Pilates Teacher Training
What does an average or not-so-average working week look like for you?
I work in media and PR so traditionally an average day for me is finding stories, writing media releases or pitching to journalists. But these days I’m busy being a mum to a newborn! While I kept up my practise and teaching while pregnant for as long as I could, it’s certainly been harder to return with a bub taking over. The struggle is real! I can’t wait to get on the reformer some more and meanwhile I’m on the foam roller stretching out my back A LOT!!
Tell us about when you started practising reformer Pilates?
I started practising in 2017 on the Gold Coast when I was looking for something to strengthen my muscles. I was told I had weak glutes and I certainly did! I remember in the beginning my leg completely gave way one day trying to do side-lying feet in straps. I was so embarrassed but I realised I was in the right place. You actually don’t realise how weak some of your muscles are until you do Pilates, or realise what the Reformer can do to help you change that if you keep practising.
Has the practice changed your body/mind in any way?
Pilates has changed my life. Starting a desk job at 17 and being none the wiser, I had a constant sore neck. I’d try everything – massages, acupuncture, physios – to help it when I eventually realised it was a weak core and poor posture that was my problem all along. My neck hasn’t been sore ever since! And I can tell when I haven’t been to class for a while (particularly post partum). When you read those ‘what would you tell your 21-year-old self’ answers, mine would definitely be – do Pilates!
What led you to sign up for a Reformer Pilates teacher training?
Because I love Reformer Pilates so much I wanted to take it to the next level. I was also looking for a personal challenge and new experience. I did a yoga retreat through BML and loved it. I’m not much of a yogi so didn’t think yoga teacher training was for me, but jumped at the chance when I saw BML was offering Pilates teacher training. I thought it would be a good way to expand my knowledge and personal practice.
How did the course go? Was it what you expected?
The course was great. We fit so much in so I learned a lot in a relatively short amount of time. The teachers were amazing mentors and all had so much experience to impart on us. They all have different stories to tell as well which was inspiring and insightful. I made great friends and we’re all supporting each other along the way as we start to teach or some are even opening their own studios.
So what’s next for you? Are you planning to teach Pilates?
I’ve been teaching on and off since the course. Lockdowns made me put it on the back burner and I moved to the Blue Mountains and Reformer classes were limited up here. I returned to teaching during pregnancy and loved it so I definitely want to get back to it again but for now I need to focus on my own practise. I wish Pilates was built into postpartum (and pregnancy) care for mums because it truly helps so much. And I would love to open a studio one day!
What would you say to others thinking about taking the leap with the pilates teacher training?
Go for it! Now as a mum I would definitely say to others who have the capacity to learn more about Pilates to do it because it’s life changing. Even if you don’t want to pursue being a Pilates teacher as a career, it’s a great learning and growth experience and the best part is you’ll come out with abs at the end of it 😉
BodyMindLife runs full-time and part-time reformer Pilates Teacher Training courses in Sydney and Byron Bay! Read more on the details and line-up of 2021 course dates here.